Means for sealing bags



Jan. 23, 1940.

J. A; FARMER 2,188,039.

MEANS FOR SEALING BAGS Filed June .17, 193

Ja.n.23, 1940, A ;=ARMER 2,188,039"

MEANS ton SEALING BAGS V Filed Jung 17. 1938 '2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Jan-23, t I Q UNITED I STATE-S PATENT OFFICE.

i t 2,188,089 o I MEANS FOR SEALING BAGS, John A. Farmer, Lancaster, Pm, minor to A. B. Hoflman, Inc., Landisville, Pa, a corporation of 1 Pennsylv nia I Application mien, 193a, Serial No. 214.302

15 Claims. (01. 229-02) I ofsuch bags on a diagonal line and pulling out understood, reference is had to the accompany- Ill the gusset thus cut off to provide a pouring spout, ing drawings forming part of this specification from which the contents of the bag can be disand in which:

pensed. Fig. 1 is a plan view of a blank constituting one Where exceedingly thin, flexible material, such form of my improved sealing tab;

as cellulose sheeting, is. however, employed, it Fig. 2 1s a perspective view of the tab when 1 is found that the material is too flimsy and does folded into position to be applied to the mouth of not have suilicient stiffness to enable the gusset a gusset ,type or square "bottom bag; to be pushed back in place after it has been Fig. 3 is a perspective view showing, my impulled out to form a pouring spout. as described proved sealing and reinforcing tab'applied to the in my said prior patents, so that the bag may mouth of such a bag; l

be rescaled. f Fig. 3 is a similar view showing a slightly dif- It has furthermore been found that thin celluferent method of applying the tab;

lose sheeting, when sharply folded to form a gus- Fig. 4 is a fragmentary side elevation showing 1 set, as in the bellows sided bags referred to, is so the upper end of a filled bag completely closed, weakened that it tends to tear or split along the with the sealing tab in position;

fold lines, especially at the extreme end of the Fig. 5 is a perspective view showing the upper bag. end of the gusset cut off and pulled out to form One of the objects of the present invention, a pouring spout; therefore, is to devise simple and emcient means Fig. 6 is a view similar to Fig. 1, but showing a for reinforcing and strengthening such thin, modified form of sealing and reinforcing tab def 80 mouth of the bag so that it will be prevented fromv nary satchehbottom bags; tearing or splitting along the fold lines, and at Fig. 7 is a perspective view of thetab shown the same time the walls-of the gusset at the in Fig. 6 as it appears when partially folded;

upper end of the bag will be givensufficient Fig.8 is a perspective view showing a satchel- 35 o sea ing 15 01' Sh e material. adapted t straddle upper part of such a bag after it has been filled so the mouth or the s. 8841mm in rs with fluent material, illustrating how the side prior Patent No. 2,093,978. portions are folded in to constitute gussets; and In other prior patent-s such 85 24193974 Fig. 10. is'a side elevation of the filled bag or and 2,093,975, also issued on September 21,1937,

laterally beyond th body g't'h bag when 11118.1 longitudinal center line 35 to constitute gussets 3. This is objectionable, since it gives rise to certain My improved sealing and reinforcing tab is dimculties in packing the filled bags in cartons designated in it's entirety by the numeral 4 and for shipment or storage. is cut from suitable sheet material such as metal u A further obiect ofthe present invention is to foil, paper or light cardboard, the'material being 5 ably of the same width of a bellows-sided bag, as shown in Fig. 3,

one of the main panels 4* cemented to the mar-- bag engage each other in fiat relation.

2 preferably heavier and stiffer than the thin sheet material of which the bag itself is made.

As in my said prior patents, the present sealing body portion of a length substantially equal to the width of the bag to be sealed and foldable along a longitudinal median line 5 so as to form front and rear main panels 7 In the present case, however, I form integral with the body portion of the tab and extending laterally from one end thereof a wing portion comprising a series of and 10, these being preferas the main panel 4 to auxiliary panels 8, 9

other and to the main panel 4.

5 and H are preferably weakened as by creasing,

scoring or partially perforating, so that the material wi l readily fold along such lines when bent over.

One side of the entire tab, including both the main and auxil ary panels, is coated with an adhesive. This may be of the ordinary type requirlng the application of a liquid, or it maybe of the non-drying pressure responsive type such, for example, as an adhesive having a rubber latex base. Preferably, however, the adhesive which I employ is of the heat sensitive type, such, for example, as that sold under the trade name Thermium. Adhesives of this type are normally dry and free from tackiness, but are softened and rendered plastic by the application of heat, and when so softened adhere securely to any surface to which they are applied. I further prefer to employ a heat-sensitive adhesive which is, like that soldunder the trade name Thermium, capable of adhering firmly to cellulose sheeting and the like, as well as paper. I

Instead of coating the tabin advance, with an adhesive, as above mentioned, a suitable adhesive may, of course, be applied to the tab or bag at the time of the sealing operation.

In use, my improved tab is applied to the math ginal portion of one side only of the open end of the bag, the other main panel A projecting beyond the edge of the bag. The auxiliary panels 8 and 8 are cemented to the upper portion of the gusset 3, these panels being of such length that the fold line H between the same coincides with the fold line 3 of the gusset. The end auxiliary panel [0 is folded around and cemented to the side of the bag opposite that to which the main panels are secured.

In this way, all three longitudinal fold lines associated with the gusset of the bag adjacent the mouth thereof are protected and reinforced by the folds of the auxiliary panels 8, 9 and. l0, and the upper .dered relatively strong and stiff.

Preferably the tab is applied to the bag I, as shown in Fig. 3, before the bag is filled, but it may be applied as shown in Fig. 3 with the main panel only secured to the bag. After it has in Fig. 3 the auxiliary'panels 8, 9 and I8 are folded into and around the guss t, as shown in Fig. 3 The gussets at the top of the bag are pressed together and collapsed so that the two side walls of the and the main panel i is then folded down over the mouth of the bag, as shown in Fig. 4, and cemented in'position by the application of heat.

end of the gusset itself is ren- The usual method of applying heat is by means of an electrically heated iron or tool, and for this reason the lower edges of the skirts of my improved sealing tab are preferably made straight, so that the heating tool may readily cover the entire surface thereof.

As in my prior patents above referred to, I

7 preferably form on one of the main panels of the tab a mark I defining a diagonal line of severance along which the corner of the assembled bag and tab panels may be cut off to provide a dispensing opening. After the corner has been thus cut off, the adjacent gusset portion may be pulled out to form a pouring spout 3 as indicated in Fig. 5. It will be noted that this spout comprises portions of the panels 8 and 9, and is thus reinforced by said panels and rendered relatively stiff. As a result, the spout may be pushed back into its original position when desired, and the bag rescaled, as described in my said prior patents.

While I have shown panels 8, 9 and ID as disposed at one end only of the main panels of the tab, and as reinforcing one' gusset only, it is of course may be formed at the other end of the main panels and used to reinforce the gusset at the other side of the bag, if desired. The chief reason for reinforcing the end of the gusset, however, is-in order to enable it to be pulled out to form a pouring spout, and pushed in again, without splitting or tearing, and therefore in many cases it is necessary to provide the reinforcing panels only at the side of the bag which is to be cut off to provide the dispensing opening.

Referring now to Figs. 6 to 10, I have illustrated one of my improved tabs as applied to an ordinary satchel-bottom bag.

The tab 4' is the same as the tab 4 illustrated in Fig. 1 except that I have shown a second wing portion, comprising an-additional series of auxiliary panels 8', 9 and I8 extending from the end of the tab opposite the panels 8, 9 and ill.

The bag is designated l' and is provided with the usual satchel bottom 2'. Bags of this type are usually made and shipped in flat condition, like an envelope, with their side walls in contact throughout their width.

In use, my improved tab is applied to the mouth of the bag; as shown in Fig. 8, with the fold lines ll between the panels 8 and 9 and 8' and 9' coinciding-with the single fold lines at the sides of the bag. Thus, it will be observed that the main panel is shorter than the width of the bag and when applied as shown, the main panel 4 and the aux'liary panels 8 and 8' are secured to one side of the open end of the bag, while the panels 9 and I0 and 9 and [8 are folded around and applied to the opposite side of the bag. Thus the fold line at each edge of the bag is strengthened and reinforced.

After the improved tab has been applied to the fiat empty bag as shown in Fig. 8, the bag is filled, preferably by causing the mouth to open by applying pressure at the side edges, as illustrated in Fig. 2,093,975.

After the bag has been filled, it assumes a rounded form, and if the side walls were then brought together in fiat relation, the end of the bag would project laterally beyond the body, thereof, as shown in Fig. 9 of my said prior Patent No. 2,093,975.

I have discovered that this can be avoided bi pressing in the obvious that similar panels- 8 of ,my said prior Patent No.-

side edges of the bag adjacent '5 by the auxiliary panels 8 area-baa v sheet material inclu the same as a bellows-sided bag. In other words,

' by my improved method, I am enabled to produce, in an ordinary satchel bottom bag, a closure comprising gussets and having all oi the advantages of a bellows-sided bag.

In Fig. 10, I have illustrated a diagonal line 1 along which the corner of the sealed bag can be out of! to provide a dispensing opening and from which opening the provide a pouring spout in the same manner as illustrated in Fig. lows-sided bag.

As shown in the drawings,.I have illustrated my improved tabs as applied to the bags in such a manner that the fold line 8 between the main panels and the upper edges of the auxiliary panels substantially coincides upper edge I of the bag walls. With this arrangement, it is of course apparent that the bag walls themselves are not folded over during this sealing operation. In other words,- the tab is positioned relative to the bag in the manner illustrated in Figs. 5 and 6 of my said prior Patent No. 2,093,975.

In this case, the width 01' the auxiliary. panels 0, 9 and III is substantially equal to the width 01' the main panel I In some cases, position the improved tab relative to which they-are attached.

to the bag in the manner illustrated in Figs. 1, 3 and 4 of my bag, so that the upper portions of the gussets,

with the auxiliary-panels secured thereto, are

folded over with the bag walls W at I claim is: 1. As an article of manufacture, a re-intorcing and sealing device for bags comprising a tab oi reason of the upper 4 gusset can be pulled out to' 5, in connection with a belwith the extreme however, it may be desirable to tending aroundeach they are attached, and terof said main portion 3 ding a body portion foldable along a longitudinal median line. and a series of connected panels of less width than said body portion extending integrally from at least one end thereof and foldable 2. As an article of manufacture, a re-iniorcing and sealing device for bags comprising a tab of sheet material including a body portion foldable series of connected auxil- I iary panels of less width than said body portion extending integrally from at least one end of one of said main panels and foldable relatively thereto and to each other. a

3. As an article of manufacture, a re-inforcing relative to said body portion and to each other.

and sealing device for bags comprising a tab of sheet material including a body portion of a length substantially equal to thewidth of the bag to be sealed, said body portion being tolda'ble along a longitudinal median line to form a pair 01' main panels, and a series of connected auxiliary panels extending integrally from at least one end of one 01' said main panels and foldable relatively thereto and to each other, said auxiliary panels being of substantially the same with a weakened which it may be bag in flattened form having opposite side walls,

side edge of the bag and applied to the other side wall.

. '7. As anarticle oi manufacture, a flexible bag in flattened i'orm having opposite side walls, and having a reinforcing-and sealing tab of sheet applied to one side .wall and toldableabout a line I parallel with and adjacent the .edge oi the .bag end, said, main portion being shorten-than the width oi. the bag, and an integral auxiliary portion forming a continuation I and comprising a plurality oi'-'paneis. toldably connected with said main other. one of said panels being applied to the same side wall as said main panels being apthan the main portion exmaterial permanently secured to the margin of its open end, said tab comprising a main po tion applied to one side wall and foldable about a line extending. parallel with and adjacent the edge of the bag end, said main portion being shorter than the width of the bag, and an integral auxiliary portion forming a continuation of said main portion and folded around the side edge of the bag in contact with both side walls thereof, the edge of said auxiliary portion substantially coinciding with the edge of the bag end.

9. As an article of manufacture, a flexible, bellows-sided bag, in flat form, comprising opposite side walls and infolded, longitudinally disposed gussets lying between them, and having a reinforcing and sealing tab of sheet material permanently secured to the margin of its open end, said tab comprising a main portion applied to one side wall only, projecting longitudinally beyond the same, and covering substantially the full width thereof, and an auxiliary portion forming a continuation of said main portion,

said auxiliary portion being applied to one of said gussets and extending across the longitudinal fold thereof, and the edge of said auxiliary portion substantially coinciding withthe edge of the bag end.

10. As an article of manufacture, a flexible, bellows-sided bag, in flat form, comprising opposite side walls and infolded, longitudinally disposed gussets lying between them, and having a reinforcing and sealing tab of sheet material permanently secured to the margin end, said tab comprising a main portion applied to one side wall only, projecting longitudinally beyond the same, and covering substantially the full width thereof, and an auxiliary portion forming a continuation of said main portion,

said auxiliary portion being made up of a series of panels foldablyconnected with said main portion and with each other, two of said panels being applied to one of said. gussets, and a third panel being applied to the other side wall of the bag, the fold' lines panels substantially coinciding with the fold lines of said gusset.

11. A package comprising a straight sided, satchel-bottom bag filled with any desired material, the upper ends of the side walls of said bag being brought together at the top in flat relation,'and a sealing tab straddling and securing them in such position, said tab having at its ends integral wing portions cemented to and stiffening the side edge portions of the bag walls adjacent the mouth, said stiffened .side edge portions being tucked in to form gussets confined between the side walls, whereby the end of the closed bag is no wider than the body thereof.

12. A' package comprising-a bellows-sided bag having at its sides longitudinally disposed infolded portions constituting gussets, and filled with anydesired material, the upper ends of theside walls of said bag being brought together at the top in flat relation, and-a sealing tab having a main body pc on of a length substantially equal to the width of the bag straddling said walls and securing them in such position, said tab having at one end at least integral auxiliary portions extending into thegusset and secured to the walls thereof, said main and auxiliary portions being separated by weakened fold lines substantially coinciding with the fold lines of said gusset.

13. A package comprising a bellows-sided bag having at its sides longitudinally disposed inconstituting gussets, and filled with any desired material, the

at the top in having a main body portion of stantially equal to the width of the bag straddling said walls and securing them in such position, said tab having at one end at least 'an integral auxiliary wing portion folded around both outer fold lines of the gusset, and cemented in position, said wing port on and mainbody portion being disposed in overlapping relation.

14. A package comprising a bellows-sided bag having at its sides lon 'tudinally disposed infolded portions constituting-gussets, and filled with any desired material, the upper ends of the side walls of said bag being brought together at the top in flat relation, and a sealing tab having a main body portion of a length substantially equal to the width of the said walls and securing them in such position, said tab having at one end at leastan integral, auxiliary wing portion folded separately around each outer fold line of the gusset, a part of said wingportionlying within said gusset and being cemented to the walls thereof.

15. The method of closing a straight sided,

the'bag to reinforce the same,

bag straddling reinforced side edge portions of the bag to form in-folded gussets, and bringing the endsof the side walls together in flat relation, with the said gussets between them, and securing them in. such position.

JOHN A. 

